Folding door



Jan.. 1, 1935. H. G. AINSWORTH FOLDING DOOR 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March 25, 1929 ZhZ/CVZZ'OW 6. ygifZSWOff/ Jan. 1, 1935.

H. G. AINSWORTH FOLDING DOOR Filed March 25, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 1, 1935 UNITED STATES Application Marches, 1929. Serial No. 349,573

31 Claims.

This invention has to do with foldingxdoors, and is more particularly concerned withdoors having three or more leaves such as. are commonly applied to garages, where it is desirable to have an extra wide door opening. In such situations it is a difficult problem to mount a folding. door of sufiicientwidth to close the doorway, so that theleaves will swing freely without scraping on the ground, and when closed the leaves will 'be held firmly; in proper alinement with eachotherand prevented'from flopping or buckling in response to lateralpressure applied in either an inward or an outward direction, and the object of my invention is to provide improved means for mounting such doors and holding them properly in their closed position. I accomplish this object as illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter described. What I regard as new is set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings,-

Fig. 1 is an elevation showing part of the front of a garage having a doorway closed by a three leaf folding door, shown in its closed position;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the door and the supporting means therefor, the latter being partly broken away. In this view the door is shown in full lines in its closed position and in dotted lines in its folded position.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail, being a horizontal section on line 3--3 ofFig. 1.

Referring to the drawings,-4 indicates an upright of any suitable description that bounds one side of the doorway of a garage or other structure and constitutes a support to which the door is hinged. Associated with the doorway is a diagonally disposed door hanger track 5, preferably of the inverted U-shape type, in which is mounted a door hanger 6 that travels along such track as the door is swung in opening or closing it. As clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the track is supported by overhead brackets '7, 8, 9, the bracket '7 being secured to the upright 4 and the brackets 8 and 9 to a part of the structure that overlies the doorway. These three brackets serve to support the track 5 rigidly in an angular position with respect to the front of the building, with one end of said track approximately over the hinge between the second and third leaves of the door, as best shown in Fig. 1.

The door, in the present instance, iscomposed of three leaves 10, 11, 12 hinged together to fold in accordion fashion, as illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 2. Strap hinges 13 are secured to the inner faces of the leaves 10, 11 to connect those leaves together, and strap hinges 14 secured-to the outer faces of thewleaves 11, 12 connect the latter leaves: together, Thus the leaf 12 is adapt ed to fold outwardly over the leaf 11, and the leaf 11 is adapted'to fold inwardlyover the'lea 10, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2; r

The leaf is hinged along, its inner margin to the upright hat a'point remote from the side margin of the doorway, by hinges 15 that comprise brackets 16securedto theupright 4, so that said leaf may be swung back and away from the doorway to a position approximately at right anglesto itsclosed position, as also illustrated in dotted lines in Fig.- 2. The door hanger 6 is connected with the leaf 11 adjacent to its outer margin by. a bracket 17, as shown in Fig. 1. arrangement is suchthatin opening the door the hanger 6 slides along the track 5 toward the left handend thereof as 'it appears Fig. 2, and at the same time the leaves 10,11 buckle outwardly about the hinges 13. the track 5 permits such outward movement of these two leaves as is necessary to compensate for the hinging of the inner leaflO. to the upright 4 at a point remote from the side margin of the doorway. '1 v For automatically controlling theposition of the outermost leaf 12'. an' angle or channel arm 18 is secured to the upper portion of the innermost leaf 10 and extends horizontally across the face of the leaf 11 and at adiverging. angle to the plane of such leaf, as shown at 19 in Fig. 2. An angle or channel arm20. is adjustably connected at its outer end with the outer portion of the leaf 12 bya hinge 21, and is also. connected by a hinge22 with the arm l8. the illustrated construction the hinge'22 is in theforn' of a knuckle comprising a-member 23 that is adjustably connected with the outer, end of the arm 18 in any suitableway, as by bolts extending through slots, andis provided with a shoulder 24, and a member 25 that isadjustably connected with the The 1 The diagonal position of adjacent'end of the arm 20 and is provided with a shoulder 26 thatlies opposite the shoulder 24 of the member 23. I

By adjusting the position of either or both the members 23, 25, with respect to the arms 18, 20 to which they are respectively connected, the effective length of, saidarmsican be increased or reduced as circumstances may require, and for a like purpose the arm 20 may beadjusted with respect to the hinge 21. 1

An adjustable stop screw 27 is mounted in one of these shoulders, in this instance the shoulder 26, and is adaptedto bear against the shoulder 24 when the arms 18, 20 are turned to a position of approximate alinement with each other. The purpose of the screw 27 is to control the extent to which the arms 18, 20 may be swung outward, or toward a position of alinement. By this means the leaves 11 and 12 can be made to aline accurately when they are in their operative or closed position. The arms 18, 20 serve to automatically control the swinging .of the-leaf, 12 to either its folded or its operative position, as will be apparent by a comparison of the two positions shown in Fig. 2. Since the arm 18 is fixedly secured to the innermost leaf 10, when said leaf swings in the folding operation, and the leaf 11 folds over upon it in the manner above described, by means of the arms 18, 20 the outer marginal portion of the leaf 12 will be caused to swing outwardly so as to overlie the outer face of the leaf 11, and the three leaves will accordingly fold upon each other in accordion fashion, as indicated by the dotted lines in said figure. In closing the door,-that is to say moving it to its operative position,'the leaf 12 will be swung outwardly by the arms 18, 20 in a movement the-reverse of that just described. During this operation the leaves 11 and 12 will be supported by the hanger 6 so that they will move smoothly. Any adjustment necessary to prevent scraping ton-the ground may be made by means of the hanger 6 which is adjustably connected with the leaf 11 by means of the stem 2'7? and nuts 28, 29, as shown in Fig. 1. V

. To prevent the door from buckling or flopping when closed, it is provided,v preferably adjacent to the lower outer margin of the leaf 11, with an open ended keeper 30 in the form of a plate that extends outwardly beyond the outer vertical margin of said leaf and is spaced from the inner surface of leaf 12, this space being indicated by numeral 31. A stop pin 32 is secured in the floor of the garage and rises high enough above such fioorto enter this space 31 as the leaves approach their closed or operative position. Preferably, the outer portion of the keeper 30 is bent outwardly as shown at 33 in Figs. 2 and 3, to flare the entrance thereinto and facilitate its engagement with the pin 32. The arrangement is such that whenthe leaf 1'1 approaches its operative position the keeper 30 embraces the stop pin 32, so that said pin then lies between the keeper and the inner face of the leaf 12, and when the leaves are alined it lies in the inner end of such space. The stop pin 32 therefore holds the leaves 11, 12 against movement either inwardly or outwardly, so that their position of alinement'is maintained. Said pin does not interfere withopening the door, because in the folding operation the leaf 11 moves edgewise to carry the keeper 30 out of engagement with said pin. The movement of the hanger 6 along the track controls the swinging of the leaf 11 so that the keeper 30 properly engages the pin 32 in both the opening and closing movement of the door. While the keeper might be reversed and secured to the floor,.andthe pin 32 be mounted on the door, the-arrangement shown and described is preferable because the pin is not so much of an obstacle as the keeper would be if located on the floor.

I claim:

1. In a folding door, the combination with an inner leaf hinged to a suitable support to swing horizontally into or out of 'its operative position, of a second leaf hinged to said inner leaf to fold thereover, or to swing into alinement therewith, a door hanger connected with the outer portion of said second leaf, a track on which said door hanger is adapted to travel to support and guide said leaf in its movement into or out of closed position, a third leaf hinged to the outer margin of said second leaf to fold thereover, or to swing into alinement therewith, a fixed stop located adjacent to the connected margins of the second and third leaves, and a keeper carried by said second leaf adjacent to such margins and projecting over the-inner margin of the third leaf, said keeper being movable into engagement with said stop by the closing of the door.

2. In a folding door, the combination of an inner leaf hinged to a suitable support to swing horizontally into or out of its operative position, a second leaf hinged to said inner leaf to fold thereover, or to swing into alinement therewith, a third leaf hinged at its inner margin to the outer margin of the second leaf to fold thereover, or to swing into alinement therewith, hinged members connecting said inner and third leaves to control the swinging movement of the latter leaf as the door is opened or closed, and means effective by the closing of the door to hold the outer marginal portion of the second leaf against lateral swinging while permitting edgewise movement thereof for opening the door.

3. In a folding door, the'combination of an inner leaf hinged to a suitable support to swing horizontally into 'or out of itsoperative position, a

second leaf hinged to said inner leaf to fold thereover, or to swing into alinement therewith,

a third leaf hinged at its inner margin to the outer margin of the second leaf to fold thereover, or to swing into alinement therewith, hinged members connecting said inner and third leaves to control the swinging movement of the latter leaf as the door is opened or closed, means effective by the closing of the door to hold the outer marginal portion of the second leaf against lateral swinging while permitting edgewise movement thereof for opening the door, and an overhead traveling support connected with the door adjacent to the hinge between said second and third leaves.

4. In a folding door, the combination of an inner leaf hinged to a suitable support to swing horizontally into or out of its operative position, a second leaf hinged to-said inner leaf to fold thereover, or to swing into alinement therewith, a third leaf hinged at its inner margin to the outer margin of the second leaf to fold thereover, or to swing into alinement therewith, hinged members connecting said inner and third leaves to control the swinging movement of the latter leaf as the door is opened or closed, means effective by the closing of the door to hold the outer marginal portion of the second leaf against lateral swinging while permitting edgewise movement thereof for opening the door, a door hanger connected with the second leaf adjacent to its outer margin, and a track on which said door hanger travels to support and guide the outer portion of the door in its movement toward or from its closed position.

5. In a folding door, the combination of an inner leaf hinged to a suitable support to swing horizontally into or out of its operative position, a second leaf hinged to said inner leaf to fold thereover, or to swing'into alinement therewith, a third leafhinged at its inner margin to the outer margin of the second leaf to fold thereover, or to swinginto alinement therewith, and hinged members connecting said inner and third leaves to control the swinging movement of the latter leaf as the door is opened or closed comprising arms connectedrespectively with said first and third leaves, and a connection between said arms comprising members hinged together-and adiust ably connected respectively with thead-jacent end portions of said arms. I I r I 6. Ina folding door, the combination of an inner leaf hinged to'a suitable support to swing horizontallyinto or out of its operative position, a second leaf hinged to said inner leaf to fold thereover, or to swing into alinement therewith, a third leaf hinged at its inner [margin to the outer margin of the second leaf to fold thereover, or to swing into alinement therewith, and hinged members connecting said inner and third leaves to control the swinging movement of the latter leaf as the door is opened or closed comprising arms connected respectively with said first and third leaves, and a connection between said arms comprising an arm fixedly connected with said first leaf and extending across the second leaf, an arm hinged to the third leaf and extending into proximity to the outer end of said first mentioned arm, and a hinge connection between the adjacent ends of said arms. I

'7. In a folding door, the combination of an inner leaf hinged to a suitable support to swing horizontally into or out of its operative position, a

second leaf hinged to said inner leaf to fold thereover, or to swing into alinement therewith, a

third leaf hinged at its inner margin tothe-outer margin of the second leaf to fold thereover, or to swing into alinement therewith, and hinged members connecting said inner and third leaves to control the swinging movement of the latter leaf as the door is opened or closed comprising arms connected respectively with said first and third leaves, and a connection between said arms comprising an arm fixedly connected with said first leaf and extending across the second leaf, an arm hinged to the third leaf and extending into proximity to the outer end of said first-mentioned arm, and a hinge comprising members adjustably connected with the adjacent ends of said arms.

8. In a folding door, the combination of an inner leaf hinged to a suitable support to swing horizontally into or out of its operative position, a second leaf hinged to said inner leaf to fold there over, or to swing into alinement therewith, a third leaf hinged at its inner'margin to the outer margin of the second leaf to fold thereover, or to swing into alinement therewith, and hinged members connecting said inner and third leaves to control the swinging movement of the latter leaf as the door is opened or closed comprising arms connected respectively with said inner and third leaves, and a connection between said arms comprising an arm fixedly connected with said inner leaf and extending across the second leaf, an

arm hinged to the third leaf and extending into proximity to the outer end of said first-mentioned arm, and a hinge comprising members connected with the adjacent ends of said arms, and means for regulating the extent to which said hinge members may swing in one direction with respect to each other, for alining the door leaves with respect to each other.

9. In a folding door, the combination of an inner leaf hinged to a suitable support to swing horizontally into or out of its operative position, a second leaf hinged to said inner leaf to fold thereover, or to swing into alinement therewith, a third leaf hinged at its inner margin to the outer margin of the second leaf to fold thereover, or to swing into alinement therewith, and hinged members connecting said inner and third leaves to control the swinging movement of the latter leaf as itheidoor is 1 opened for closed comprising. arms connected respectively with said-first and third leaves, and a connection between said armsv comprising an arm fixedly connected with said first leaf and extending across the second leaf, aniarm 1 hinged V to r the thirdlea'f-rtand extending into proximityto theotheriend of said first-mentioned arm', and"aihinge comprising members connected with the 'adjacent endsbf said arms; said hinge members having oppositely disposed shoulders, and a set screw mounted in one of said shoulders and adapted to bear against the other when the doorleaves are alined. .1.

10. In a folding door, the combination-of an inher leaf hinged to asuitable support to swing horizontally into or out'of its operative position, a second leaf hinged to said inner leaf to fold thereover, or to swing into alinement therewith,fa third leaf hinged at its inner margin to the-outer margin of thesecond leaf to fold thereover, 'or to swing into alinement therewith, and hinged members connectingv said inner i and third leaves to control the swinging movement of the latter leaf as the door isopened or'closed comprising an arm rigidly secured to the first leaf and e'xtending across the second leaf, an armihin'ged to the third leaf and extending in'proximity to the outer end portion of said first arm, a'knuckle connecting the adjacent ends of said armsfand means whereby the effective length of s'aid hinged members may be adjusted.=' 1 I 7 11. In a folding door, the combination of an in} ner leaf hinged to a suitable support to swing horizontally into'or out of its operativeposition, a second leaf hinged to said inner leaf tofold thereover, or to swing into alinementtherewith, a third leaf hinged at its inner margin to the outer margin of the second leaf -to -fold thereover, or to swing into alinement therewith, and hi'nged members connecting said inner and third leaves to control the swingingmovement of the latter leaf as the door is openedorclosedcomprising an arm rigidly secured to' "the first leaf and extending across the sec'ond'leaf, an arm hinged to the third leaf and extending in proximity-to the outer end portion of saidfirst arm, a knuckle connecting the adjacent ends'of said arms, and means for adjusting the extent to which said knuckle may open.

12. In a folding door, the combination of an inner leaf hinged to a suitable support to swing horizontally into or out of itsoper'ative position, a second leaf hinged to said inner leaf to fold thereover, or to swing into alinement therewith, a third leaf hinged at its inner margint'o the outer margin of the second leaf to fold thereover', -or to swing into alinement therewith, and means carried upon and cooperatively connecting said inner and third leaves to positively control the swinging movement of the third leaf as the door is opened or closed.

13. In a folding door, the combination of an inner leaf hinged to "a suitable support to swing horizontally .into or out of its operative position, a second leaf hinged to said inner leaf to fold thereover, or to swing into alinement-therewith, a third leaf, hinged at its inner margin to the outer margin of the second leaf'to fold thereover, or to swing into alinement therewith, and means mounted upon and carried by said inner and third leaves to automatically controlthe swinging movement of the'third leaf as the door is opened or closed. I

14, In a folding door, 'thecombination, of an inner leaf hinged to a suitable support to swing horizontallyinto or. out of its, operative position, a second leaf hinged to said inner leaf to fold thereover, or to swing into alinement therewith, a third leaf hinged at its inner margintothe outer margin of the-second leaf to fold thereover, or to swing into alinementtherewith, and adjust.- able means directly connected to and carried-shy said inner and third leaves to,control the swinging movement of the third leaf as the door is opened or closed.

15. In a folding door,'the combination of an inner leaf hinged to asuitablesupport to swing horizontally into or out ofits operative position, i

a second leaf 'hinged'to said-inner leaf to fold ,thereover, or to swing into alinement therewith, a third leaf hinged at its inner margin to the outer margin of the second leaf to fold thereover, 'or to swing into alinement therewith, and pivoted levers mounted upon and carried by said inner and third leaves to automatically effect uniform folding and unfolding movement of said third leaf as the door is opened or closed.

16. In a' folding door, the combination of an inner leaf hinged-to a suitable support to swing horizontally into: or out of its operative: position, a second leaf hinged to said inner leaf to fold thereover,,or to swing into alinement therewith, a third leaf hinged at its inner margin to the outer margin of the second leaf to fold thereover,.or to swing into alinement therewith, an overhead traveling support connected with one of said second .andthird leaves adjacent the hinged edge thereof, and levers fixed to and carried by said inner and third leaves to positively control the swinging movement of the third leaf 7 as the door is opened or closed.

1'7. Ina folding door, the combination of an inner leaf hinged to asuitablesupport to swing horizontally into or out of its operative position, a second leaf hinged to said inner leaf to fold thereover, or to swing into alinement therewith, a third leaf hingedat its inner margin to the outer margin of the second leaf to fold thereover, or to swing into alinement therewith, an overhead traveling support connected with one of said second and third leaves adjacent the hinged edge thereof, and means operatively connecting said inner and third leaves and independent of said support to positively control the swinging movement of the third leaf as the door isopened or closed.

18. In a folding door, the combination of more than two hinged leaves, and means fixed to and carried by the outermost of said leaves and another of said leaves to automatically swing the outermost leaf to open or closed position as the door is opened or closed.

19. A device ofthe class described comprising a plurality of successive door sections hinged together toform a single door, means hingedly securing the first section to swing on a fixed pivot, a link member rigidly fixed to the first section to swing therewith and operatively connected with the last section whereby the swinging of the first section on its hinges will compactly fold the sections together and out of the doorway.

20. A device of the class described comprising a plurality of door sections hinged together to form a single door, hinge means on one edge of the first section providing a fixed pivot about which said section may swing, a link member rigidly'fixed to swing with one of said sections, a second link connected with anothersection and pivoted to the firstsaid link to form a toggle mechanism adapted to fold said sections together when the ,first section is swung on its hinges.

21. A device. of the class described comprising a plurality of door sections hinged together at their edges toform a single door, an offset hinge on the first section providing a fixed pivot about which said section may swing, a link member rigidly fixed to the first section to swing therewith, and operatively connected with the last section' whereby the swinging of the first'section on its-hinges will compactly fold the sections together and out of the doorway.

22. A device of the class described comprising a plurality of successive door sections hinged together to form a single door, means hingedly securing the first section to swing on a fixed pivot, alink member rigidly fixed to the first section to swing therewith and operatively connected with the last section whereby the swinging of the first section on its hinges will compactly fold the sections together and out of the doorway, and means for vertically supporting the door when in extended and folded positions.

23. A device of the class described comprising a plurality of successive door sections hinged together to form a single door, means hingedly securing the first section to swing on a fixed pivot, a link member rigidly fixed to the first section to swing therewith, a second link pivoted to the first said link and secured to the last section for folding all-the sections together and out of the doorway when the first section swings on its hinges, and means for vertically supporting the door when in extended and folded positions.

24. A device of the class described comprising a plurality of successive door sections hinged together to form a single door, means hingedly securing the first section to swing on a fixed pivot, a link member rigidly fixed to the first section to swing therewith, a second link pivoted to the first said link and secured to the last section for folding all the sections together and out of the doorway when the first section swings on its hinges.

25. A device of the class described comprising a plurality of door sections hinged together to form a single door, hinge means on one edge of the first section providing a fixed pivot about which said'section may swing, a link member rigidly fixed to swing with one of said sections, a second link connected with another section and pivoted to the first said link to form atoggle mechanism adapted to fold said sections together when the first section is swung on its hinges, and track means for guiding the door in its motion between extended and folded positions.

26. In a door of the character described comprising a plurality of sections secured to each other, means arranged adjacent to one side of said door defining a path for directing the movement of said sectiom from lateral alinement, in which the door sections are arranged with their edges in abutment, to a position in which such sections are stacked in a compact package with their faces substantially in abutment with the faces of adjacent sections, a stationary member disposed adjacent the connected margins of two of said door sections, and a longitudinal strength ening member arranged upon one face of such door and engageable and disengageable with said stationary member by translational movement with respect thereto, said strengthening member and stationary member when engaged serving to maintain the sections of said door in a position of lateral alignment.

27. In a door of the character described comprising a plurality of sections secured to each other, means arranged adjacent to one side of said door defining a path for directing the movement of said sections from lateral alinement, in which the door sections are arranged with their edges in abutment, to a position in which such sections are stacked in a compact package with their faces substantially in abutment with the faces of adjacent sections, the pivot axes of such sections being located substantially in the planes of the faces of such sections when they are arranged in lateral alinement thereby adapting such sections to lie compactly with their faces substantially in abutment when such sections are in stacked relation, and means associated with said door forsimultaneously moving all of the sections thereof upon movement of one of said sections.

28. In a door of the character described comprising a plurality of sections secured to each other, the pivotal connections between such sections being arranged to swing in opposite directions at successive joints between sections of the door, means defining a path for directing the movement of said sections from lateral alinement, in which the door sections are arranged with their edges in abutment, to a position in which such sections are stacked in a compact package with their faces in abutment with the faces of adjacent sections, and means comprising link members associated with said door for simultaneously moving all of the sections thereof upon movement of one of said sections.

29. In a door of the character described comprising a, plurality of sections secured to each other, the pivotal connections between such sections being arranged to swing in opposite directions atsuccessive joints between sections of the door, means defining a path for directing the movement of said sections from lateral alinement, in which the door sections are arranged with their edges in abutment, to a position in which such sections are stacked in a compact package with their faces in abutment with the faces of adjacent sections, means for vertically supporting said sections in their movement along said path, and auxiliary means independent of said supporting means secured to said sections for controlling the movement of the sections along said path.

30. In adoor of the characterdescribed comprising a plurality of sections secured to each other, the pivotal connections between such sections being arranged to swing in opposite directions at successive joints between sections of the door, means defining a path for directing the movement of said sections from lateral alinement, in which the door sections are arranged with their edges in abutment, to a position in which such sections are stacked in a compact package with their faces in abutment with the faces of adjacent sections, means for vertically supporting said sections in their movement along said path, and pivotally mounted levers independent of said supporting means secured'to said sections for controlling the movement of the sections along said path.

'31. A device of the class described comprising a plurality of door sections hinged together to form a single door, hinge means on one edge of the first section providing a fixed pivot about which said section may swing, a link member rigidly fixed to swing with one of said sections, a second link connected with another section and pivoted to the first saidlink to form a toggle mechanism adapted to fold said sections together when the first section is swung on its hinges, and means for vertically supporting the door when in extended and 'folded positions.

HARRY G. AINSWOR'IH.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,986,178. January 1, 1935,

HARRY G. AINSWORTH.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 3. second column, line 7, claim 9, for "other'hread outer; page 4, first column, line 47, claim 17, for "operatively" read cooperatively; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 5th day of March, A. D. 1935.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

